Excellent post, and hard to really add anything to it. You've pretty
much nailed the idea of the Commercial... add some additional
requirements which tend to hone the piloting skills.

Sounds like your X-country was a good one. I think it's best to
look at that one as a way to gain something instead of thinking
of it as an unecessary burden. We can all learn something from
every flight, especially from one that takes us into uncharted
territory.

Keep working on the manuervers it will eventually all fall into place.
They aren't quite as simple to perform as they initially appear... )
but then that's why you will be a commercial pilot Vs. a private
pilot when you pass the checkride. Good luck...